Heat Stress AWARENESS

•Heat stress happens when your body loses its ability to self-regulate body temperature.

•Heat stress can lead to a range of heat-induced conditions: heat rash, heat cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.

For outdoor workers, the sun is the biggest cause of heat stress. They are at a much higher risk of heat stress (for example, agricultural workers in the USA are at 20 times the risk than the national rate) 

•Heat illness caused by heat stress can be a matter of life and death. Workers die from heat stroke every summer and every death is preventable.

•When heat stroke doesn’t kill immediately, it can shut down major body organs causing acute heart, liver, kidney and muscle damage, nervous system problems, and blood disorders.

•Humans perspire as a means of cooling the body.

•The higher the relative humidity, the less perspiration can be evaporated, reducing the cooling effect of evaporation and increasing heat load in the body.

•The combination of rising temperature and work demands can lead to heat stress situations for workers.

The humidex is a measure of how hot we feel. It is based on the combined effects of high temperature and humidity.

•Heat illness has a range of outcomes, each being more severe.

•With the initial onset of symptoms, the worker may feel fatigued and disoriented.

•If no action is taken to address the heat stress, more severe stages of heat illness develop which can be life-threatening.

•Heat rash → Heat cramps → Fainting → Heat exhaustion → Heat stroke 

Symptoms:

•General feeling of tiredness or fatigue 

First Aid:

•Water, Rest, and Shade  

Symptoms:

•Skin becomes reddened and may itch, feel prickly, or hurt. Red bumpy rash with severe itching 

First Aid:

•Avoid hot environments •Rinse skin with cool water  

Symptoms:

•Cramping of muscles (often in arms, legs, or stomach) 

First Aid:

•Move to cool area •Loosen clothing •Stretch cramping muscles •Drink cool water (electrolyte replacement)  

Symptoms:

•Sudden fainting after at least 2 hours of work •Cool moist skin, weak pulse 

First Aid:

•Assess need for CPR •Move to a cool area •Loosen clothing •Have the person lie down •Offer sips of cool water  

Symptoms: 

•Heavy sweating •Cool moist skin •High body temperature •Weak pulse •Normal or low blood pressure • Tired and weak •Nausea and vomiting •Very thirsty •Panting or breathing rapidly •Blurry vision 

First Aid:

•GET MEDICAL ATTENTION •Move worker to a cool shaded area •Loosen or remove excess clothing • •Provide cool water to drink •Fan and spray with cool water •Do not leave them alone  

Symptoms:

•Weak, confused, upset, acting strangely •Hot, dry red skin •Profuse sweating •Fast pulse • •Headache or dizziness •In late stage, may pass out and have convulsions. This condition is very serious and can kill quickly.  

First Aid:

•CALL 911 •Remove excess clothing •Fan and spray with cool water • •Offer sips of water if worker is conscious  

•Increased Accidents: tired, fatigued workers are more susceptible to accident and injury.

•Heart/Lung Strain: heat stress places additional strain on the heart and lungs. This strain is enhanced with dehydration. Workers who have heart, lung, kidney or circulatory problems are at additional risk.